Asynchronous communication tools

Synchronous communication tools

Accessing tools freely available on the Internet or commercially

Asynchronous communication tools

Asynchronous communication tools are tools that can be used over a period of time, and include forums, bulletin boards and email discussion lists. It is not necessary for all users to be present (using the tool at the same time).

Asynchronous tools allow learners to:

• read and reflect on the responses or work of others, encouraging deeper thinking

• revisit the responses or work of others over a period of time

• make responses to others after reflection / thinking time

• have ongoing communication with others

• view (or to 'listen' to) the responses of others to the same initial message

Some tools allow a measure of anonymity during the conversation by using nicknames or similar. Some learners who do not usually participate in face-to-face discussions will therefore engage in online discussions.

Some examples are described below:

1. Web forums / bulletin boards

In this tool each posting, or message written by a participant, is usually presented underneath the last. Information is provided about the time that the message was posted and the name of the person who posted the message. Documents can be attached for others to view. Participants often register under their real name but then select a name to use when making posts in the forum. In most instances the teacher or administrator can determine the users in a forum and exclude those who are not part of your user group.

Some asynchronous tools such as these allow discussion to be threaded, or physically grouped according to which message is the initial message and which are the responses from others to that message. Each posting has a subject which functions as a heading and the message or post needs to be opened to be read. In most tools such as these used in education, all messages can be printed out or saved in student records.

2. Interactive web sites / portals

Some products allow interactive web sites to be created and used in a collaborative way. Users can:

• share and collaborate on documents

• create and share lists such as tasks, contacts or links

• read and contribute to discussions.

All these features can be accessed and used by users from any location across the web.

3. Email or discussion lists

An email list is used for a group of people to communicate with each other, usually on a particular topic. Every email goes to the 'list' rather than to an individual person, and all those in the group can read the email and respond to the group. An email list is very useful for discussion or for recording the individual reflections of group members. All communications within the group can be printed to keep a record of the discussion.

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Synchronous communication tools are tools that require all users to be present online at the same time. They include chat and online whiteboards. Users of synchronous communication tools:

• have a text conversation, that can include pictorial support

• are generally asking and answering questions or commenting on something

• 'listen' and respond whilst all the group are present - even if at different locations

• can have a measure of anonymity during the conversation

• need to be able to follow a conversation that is presented in the order that the text is written, which can appear out of sequence to viewers

Some examples are described below:

If you wish to use a synchronous tool (in which all participants need to be present at the one time) your might obtain and use:

• a chat room

• a whiteboard

Most chat tools list the participants in the chat and each participant writes their message in a text box at the base of the chat screen.  The ongoing conversation is visible to all who have entered the chat room, unless there is a feature which allows two participants to talk to each other without others seeing the chat (the lines of this conversation can be viewed only by the participants and a teacher/administrator. This is a particularly useful teaching tool as it allows you to talk to a student without others being aware of the conversation. The teacher can often obtain a printed log of all conversations that have occurred.

A whiteboard (such as that which comes with the WebCT learning management system) is a synchronous tool that can be used by a number of users at the same time, although only one user can work on the white pane at once. Users can upload images, write, draw and converse using this tool.

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Accessing tools freely available on the Internet or commercially

Such tools include:

• communication tools provided through EdNA online

• forums and bulletin boards on specific websites for specific purposes (eg to discuss books, or to get advice on a technical issue)

• MSN Chat (includes whiteboard and other tools)

• blogs and wikis

Many of these tools are very useful, but should be used with caution in educational settings. They are sometimes combined with advertising material, can be quite bandwidth heavy, or can slow down other activity on a network and may be limited in their suitability to the intended educational context.

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